Delhi gangrape case: Farhan Akhtar seeks answers from the govt

There is a demand for justice and the tortoise-like response of a deaf system has only exacerbated the growing anguish.

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Farhan Akhtar

November 30, 1999

ISSUE DATE: December 31, 2012

UPDATED: December 27, 2012 11:27 IST

The rape of a 23-year-old in Delhi is an indication that we are socially regressing into an age where it is each man for himself. Where people feel free to help themselves to anything that takes their fancy. It could be a car, money or in this case, a woman. If they cannot get it legitimately, they feel perfectly entitled to snatch it. We live in a society where there is no fear of repercussion. And it seems to be symptomatic of how our nation functions at all levels today. A section of the political and corporate elite believe they are free to loot us, to scam us out of thousands of crores. And if you happen to be from a social strata that cannot afford such lofty ambitions, you can rob a car, burgle a house or molest a woman. Usually by the time the law catches up with you, it is too little, too late.

Farhan Akhtar

There is a disconnect between the political establishment and those whom it intends to govern. There is a demand for justice and the tortoise-like response of a deaf system has only exacerbated the growing anguish. What is even more tragic is that the majority is silenced by the minority. I've heard arguments that this is a section that lacks education and opportunities and the widening economic divide has led to frustration and these heinous crimes are a manifestation of that. Maybe. Maybe not. But that's another debate because ultimately, a crime is a crime.

There is definitely something wrong in a society where men feel they can get away with sexually harassing or raping a woman. As a filmmaker, I must also look inward to see if the industry that I belong to could be partially responsible in propagating this kind of mindset. And I must say, sadly so, the answer is yes. There are films in which romantic wooing has been replaced by a kind of harassment of the heroine. The heroes of these films could be considered stalkers in some civil societies. Now imagine that this actor is a role model to millions... wouldn't his fans think this behaviour is okay? Now imagine that this actress is a role model to millions... what message does it send to women across the country? There was a time when the villain stalked the heroine and got beaten up by the hero. Now the hero can harass her and they end up happily married!

Women have the right to decide who they want to sleep with, when to sleep with them, and indeed to enjoy it. Why should they be told not to carry mobile phones, or not to wear jeans or not to mingle with boys? I'd like to ask those who say women should not go out after dark as the streets are not safe, how about we keep the men home? Won't that be safer for women?

I can only look back through history at the control men have sought to wield over women and in particular, their bodies. My theory is that it has something to do with her power to create life and the fear and inadequacies that power makes men feel. The woman has successfully proved that she can be the man's boss in office, can run companies, run governments and more. Men are threatened by her. Their last recourse is to target her physically and feel they still have control over her.

There is a way to combat it. Our ministers, the police department and our judiciary have to come together to resolve this problem. We have to create a powerful citizens' lobby that should demand fast-track courts and an amendment in the law. Since it isn't happening as a matter of course, it has to be enforced.

Be it the molesters in Guwahati, the murderer of my friend and associate, Pallavi, in Mumbai, rapists in Delhi or acid throwers across the country, no landmark example is being set of these criminals. And when there is no fear of swift justice, there is no deterrent.

That is why you hear cries today of castration and death penalty. Society has reached boiling point. Before people resort to anarchy, the establishment must act. Until then, this madness will not end. Until then, India's women will continue to suffer. And for that, we will all be guilty.

Act now.

Farhan Akhtar is an actor, writer, director, producer and proud father of two daughters.

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